GB - 1969-1981 - Elizabeth II - 50 New Pence

Obscure Finds Coin Collection >
GB >
50 New Pence

This section of Obscure Finds Numismatic Collection is made up of coins from the
GB
region and specializes in
1969-1981 - Elizabeth II - 50 New Pence
coins from coin category
50 New Pence . If you are looking for coin facts, numismatic data or simple melt value composition of the
GB - 1969-1981 - Elizabeth II - 50 New Pence coin, you can find it here at Obscure Finds.

Looking for coin prices and suggested retail values based on a coins grade? Obscure Finds recommends
PCGS or
NGC
for the most accurate coin prices and values of coins from Great Britain (GB).

The British decimal fifty pence (50p) coin is a unit of currency equaling one half of a pound sterling. It is a seven-sided coin formed as an equilateral curve heptagon. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin’s introduction in 1969.

The original reverse of the coin, designed by Christopher Ironside, and used from 1969 to 2008, is a seated Britannia alongside a lion, accompanied by either NEW PENCE (1969–1982) or FIFTY PENCE above Britannia, with the numeral 50 underneath the seated figure.

As with all new decimal currency, until 1984 the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin appeared on the obverse, in which the Queen wears the 'Girls of Great Britain and Ireland' Tiara.

During the history of the coin, three different obverses have been used so far - between 1982 and 1984 the head of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin was used, between 1985 and 1997 the head by Raphael Maklouf was used, and since 1998 one by Ian Rank-Broadley has been used.

The 50p coin replaced the old ten-shilling note prior to decimalisation in 1971, so it changed from being a printed denomination to a minted one! It was the world’s first seven-sided coin, in the shape of an equilateral curve heptagon. Early designs included 10 and 12-sided versions, and even a square one – but with rounded corners. The seven-sided version was found to be the best for distinguishing the coin from the rest of the UK coinage.

The 50p is made from 75% copper and 25% nickel; this mixture is called cupro-nickel. It is struck with a minimum of 100 tonnes of force and a single coin press can make up to 500 per minute, that’s 30,000 per hour or 720,000 per day.